Improvement



M. VANWORMER.

Improvement in Fences.

Pat ented June 6,1871.

No. H5,@63.

MATTHEW VAN WORMEE, OF TROY, OHIO.

IMPRGVEMENT IN FENCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 115,663, dated J une 6, 187i.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW VAN Woun- ER, of Troy, in the county of Miami and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Construction of Fences; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a front elevation of the improved fence with a gate applied. Fig. 2 is a crosssection, showing the back-brace and the picket as a brace. Fig. 3 is a cross-section, showing the inclined metal brace. Figs. 4 and 5 show my improved mode of securing the posts of my fence to the foundation-stones.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

The nature of my invention consists in the combination of wood and iron, in the novel manner hereinafter described, for forming a strong, light, and durable picket-fence.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand my invention, I will explain its construction and operation.

In the accompanying drawing, A A represent the fence-pickets, which are made by first turning the stuff and then splitting it longitudinally. By this means half-round pickets are obtained, which will present a very handsome appearance in the fence, and which can be produced at yery little expense. Those pickets A which are arranged over the poststones F, have their ends extended down so as to bear on these stones, and thereby serve, in combination with vertical pieces J, which also rest on the post-stones, as braces'for sustaining the fence against lateral pressure and displacement. The pieces J, shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, are nailed to the rails B B, behind those pickets A which rest on the post-stones. By these means it will be seen that the fence is sustained upon the post-stones in a very substantial manner. Between each vertical brace J and the picket opposite to it is an iron post, D, which consists of a round rod, of suitable strength, having its lower end flattoned and secured into the post-stone F, and its upper end pointed and inserted into the top rail 13, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The upper termination of the flattened portion of the post 1) affords shoulder supports for the lower rail B, through which latter the post passes. The upper pointed end of the post is inserted into the upper rail B by striking upon this rail directly over the post. Thus it will be seen that at each post-stone the fence is secured by a bracing-picket, a vertical brace, and an intermediate metal post, which combination gives great strength and durability. Those portions of the picketsA which extend below the lower rail B are flattened externally, and have nailed to them the baseboa-rds B. 'At certain distances apart metal braces- N are employed for strengthening the fence and holding it down. Each brace consists of a metal rod, which is secured at its lower end into the base-stone F, and which is flattened and pointed at its upper end, inserted into the rail B, and secured thereto by a screw, 0. The hooked end of the brace N being inserted into the rail B, as shown in Fig. 3, it will be seen that this brace will assist in preventing vertical movement of the fence as well as lateral movement thereof. Where wooden posts are used I secure them to the post-stones F by means of metal pieces p 11. Each post has two of these pieces 12 secured to it on opposite sides of the post, as shown in Fig. 4. Each metal piece is made from round iron, part of which is flattened and booked, and the other part left round to be inserted into holes drilled into the stone. The upper hooked end of the flattened portion of each piece 12 is driven into the side of the post, and, by means of nails, the pieces are permanently fastened to the post.

Under this application I do not claim the pointed metal posts D, nor the half-round pickets produced from round pieces, as these pieces are shown in my Letters Patent for a fence dated on the 15th day of February, 1870;

WVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- The wooden posts 1? IE, metal hooking anchor-pieces p p, stone-sills F F, short backpieces J J, long wooden pickets A, base-board R, and metal hooking anchor-braces N, all constructed, arranged, and operating together in the manner and for the purpose described.

MATTHEW VAN WORMER.

Witnesses:

J. W. CRUIKSHANK, J OHN B. FINLEY. 

